I have often asked myself this question. What distinguishes art from crafts? Or are they the same thing? Can an object that has a practical purpose, such as a pen, have the value of a work of art? In my opinion, yes. If we think of the Italian Renaissance, artists worked in workshops completely similar to what we would now call craftsmen’s workshops, also producing commonly used objects painted or decorated to convey an aesthetic, cultural, ethical or religious message. A pen designed and made by hand (therefore artisanal) itself becomes a work of art when its decorative apparatus becomes the language of the interiority of a human being (therefore art). For me the Maki-e in the contemporary world represents one of the most refined artistic expressions: the chiaroscuro, the changing light effects of the precious metal and mother of pearl, the infinite techniques that can be combined with each other, the brilliant colors of Urushi are incredible means to tell what we are, our emotions, our thoughts. An example of this is our pen “Homage to the Renaissance” that you can see in this photo.